Business vehicle analysis
MGE can help you decide if CNG vehicles make sense for your company.
Get a free business vehicle analysis! We:
• Assist with return on investment analysis.
• Research available vehicles.
• Evaluate maintenance options.
Interested in a business vehicle analysis? Please call your MGE account
manager or 608-252-7007.
Call MGE and ask for a business account manager or visit our
website for information. We provide the technical, financial and
educational services you need to stay competitive.
• mge.com/cng
• 608-252-7222
• 1-800-245-1125
Disclaimer
The information in this document is provided “as is” without any warranty and is
intended to be general in nature. The information is not a design/construction
specification and is not intended to address any specific safety or operational
requirements for a particular facility, or specify the requirements of any applicable
federal, state or local code and regulations. Madison Gas and Electric Company,
its officers, employees or agents shall not be liable for damages or losses of any
kind arising out of or in connection with the use of the information provided herein.
printed on recycled paper
your community energy company
get the facts on
natural gas vehicles
Medium- and heavy-duty trucks
Availability: Medium- and
heavy-duty CNG trucks are
available from most major
truck manufacturers, including
Kenworth, Freightliner, Peterbilt,
Navistar-International, Mack,
Volvo, Isuzu.
The surge in natural gas production has diven down its cost and built interest in
using it as a transportation fuel.
Fueling fleets with compressed natural gas (CNG) has
many advantages. CNG vehicles:
• Use a fuel that costs less and reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
• Perform just like gasoline and diesel vehicles but have lower
exhaust emissions.
• Run quieter than diesel-powered vehicles.
Plus the technology has been proven over time. CNG vehicles have
been on the road since the 1930s.
Thinking about CNG for your business?
The more you travel, the more you save. CNG vehicles make the most
economic sense for fleets that travel many miles. CNG is also a good
fit for businesses with planned routes and fleets that return to a
central location at the end of the day.
Performance: Engine manufacturers build dedicated CNG engines
for a variety of commercial vehicle applications. Cummins Inc. offers
an 8.9-liter and 11.9-liter engine with horsepower and torque curves
that almost mirror their diesel counterparts. CNG engines are quieter
than diesel engines, and there is no visible exhaust or odor. CNG
does not gel like diesel, so it’s an excellent choice for cold weather
climates. In addition, CNG trucks meet EPA requirements without
complex after-treatments.
Range: Driving range depends on onboard storage capacity, and
improvements in tank technology are allowing businesses to drive
further on CNG. For example, a truck with dual 45-gallon tanks on
the rail and a 155-gallon tank behind the cab can travel up to 1,200
miles without refueling.
Maintenance: For trucks with CNG spark-ignited engines, maintenance
charges are comparable to diesel engines. While you have additional
maintenance
with spark plugs
and higher cost
oil, you reduce
maintenance cost
with elimination
of the exhaust
after treatment
system.
GS1807 09/02/2015
Vehicle availability
Factors to consider
Trucks and vans
Here are the factors to consider before you add CNG to your fleet.
You can also see local business people talk about how these factors
affected their decisions to use CNG in our video series “Straight talk
about CNG”. Just visit mge.com/cngvideos.
CNG pickup trucks and vans are available from several manufacturers.
For more information on vehicle availability, visit the U.S.
Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center or contact your
local dealership.
Range: Dedicated vehicles run on CNG only. A vehicle with a
15.8 GGE tank has a driving range of about 200 miles. Additional
tanks can add range. Many light-duty vehicles are bi-fuel—equipped
with both a CNG and gasoline fuel tank—which extends driving
distance. These vehicles run on CNG and automatically switch to
gasoline when the CNG tank is empty. The CNG version of the Chevy
Silverado 2500HD, for example, travels about 650 miles when both
tanks are full.
Performance: Driving a CNG vehicle feels similar to driving a gasoline
vehicle, and performance is comparable in terms of horsepower,
torque, towing capability and acceleration. The fuel economy of CNG
vehicles is similar to gasoline-powered vehicles.
Conversions: CNG conversion systems are available for a variety of
vehicles. Make sure the system is EPA (Environmental Protection
Agency) approved and the installer is qualified. For a list of certified
conversion systems, visit epa.gov.
Maintenance: Maintenance intervals are comparable to gasolinepowered vehicles. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Manufacturers also provide recommendations for maintaining
CNG fuel tanks.
4
Cost
CNG costs less than diesel or gasoline. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), CNG has historically been about half the price
and has a track record of long-term price stability. Ample supply—
inventory levels of natural gas are at
record levels with estimates of more
than a 100-year supply—helps keep
prices stable. For current CNG pricing,
visit cngprices.com.
Fuel savings help offset the additional cost of the vehicle, with many
businesses seeing a quick return
on investment. For help calculating payback, visit cngnow.com.
Cummins NPower also offers a Value Spec Tool. There are links to
both of these sites at mge.com/cng.
Fueling
There are nearly 50 public fueling
options in Wisconsin. You’ll find
links to a CNG station locator at
mge.com/cng. Locally, Kwik Trip in
Verona and Windsor, Speedway LLC
in Monona and Middleton Farmers
Cooperative Co. offer CNG fueling.
Some businesses choose to invest
in private CNG fueling stations. Fleet
vehicles that park overnight, like
refuse haulers, often install on-site
fueling.
Public fueling stations provide easy
access to CNG.
1
Maintenance
Safety
Many dealerships have technicians trained to work on CNG vehicles.
Many experts believe that CNG vehicles are safer than gasoline
or diesel vehicles. Natural gas is nontoxic, lighter than air and it
dissipates rapidly when released. It’s the same fuel that most
people use to heat their homes.
Businesses that repair or maintain their own natural gas vehicles
on-site may need to modify their maintenance facilities to meet
National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA),
National Electric Code
(NEC) and related code
requirements for natural
gas vehicles.
Because every garage
is different, develop
a plan and discuss
modifications with the
local fire authority. For
more information on
code requirements in
Wisconsin, visit www.
stateneergyoffice.wi.gov
and download a copy
of the Natural Gas for
Transportation Vehicle
Repair Guidelines.
2
Unlike diesel and gasoline, there’s no hazardous material cleanup
in the event of a spill or accident. It does not pool or contaminate
groundwater. Its ignition temperature is higher than gasoline.
Natural gas cylinders are stronger and thicker than gasoline tanks
and must undergo rigorous testing, including burst, bonfire and
crash testing. CNG vehicle components also must meet federal
standards including ANSI, NFPA and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards.
3
Maintenance
Safety
Many dealerships have technicians trained to work on CNG vehicles.
Many experts believe that CNG vehicles are safer than gasoline
or diesel vehicles. Natural gas is nontoxic, lighter than air and it
dissipates rapidly when released. It’s the same fuel that most
people use to heat their homes.
Businesses that repair or maintain their own natural gas vehicles
on-site may need to modify their maintenance facilities to meet
National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA),
National Electric Code
(NEC) and related code
requirements for natural
gas vehicles.
Because every garage
is different, develop
a plan and discuss
modifications with the
local fire authority. For
more information on
code requirements in
Wisconsin, visit www.
stateneergyoffice.wi.gov
and download a copy
of the Natural Gas for
Transportation Vehicle
Repair Guidelines.
2
Unlike diesel and gasoline, there’s no hazardous material cleanup
in the event of a spill or accident. It does not pool or contaminate
groundwater. Its ignition temperature is higher than gasoline.
Natural gas cylinders are stronger and thicker than gasoline tanks
and must undergo rigorous testing, including burst, bonfire and
crash testing. CNG vehicle components also must meet federal
standards including ANSI, NFPA and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards.
3
Vehicle availability
Factors to consider
Trucks and vans
Here are the factors to consider before you add CNG to your fleet.
You can also see local business people talk about how these factors
affected their decisions to use CNG in our video series “Straight talk
about CNG”. Just visit mge.com/cngvideos.
CNG pickup trucks and vans are available from several manufacturers.
For more information on vehicle availability, visit the U.S.
Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center or contact your
local dealership.
Range: Dedicated vehicles run on CNG only. A vehicle with a
15.8 GGE tank has a driving range of about 200 miles. Additional
tanks can add range. Many light-duty vehicles are bi-fuel—equipped
with both a CNG and gasoline fuel tank—which extends driving
distance. These vehicles run on CNG and automatically switch to
gasoline when the CNG tank is empty. The CNG version of the Chevy
Silverado 2500HD, for example, travels about 650 miles when both
tanks are full.
Performance: Driving a CNG vehicle feels similar to driving a gasoline
vehicle, and performance is comparable in terms of horsepower,
torque, towing capability and acceleration. The fuel economy of CNG
vehicles is similar to gasoline-powered vehicles.
Conversions: CNG conversion systems are available for a variety of
vehicles. Make sure the system is EPA (Environmental Protection
Agency) approved and the installer is qualified. For a list of certified
conversion systems, visit epa.gov.
Maintenance: Maintenance intervals are comparable to gasolinepowered vehicles. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Manufacturers also provide recommendations for maintaining
CNG fuel tanks.
4
Cost
CNG costs less than diesel or gasoline. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), CNG has historically been about half the price
and has a track record of long-term price stability. Ample supply—
inventory levels of natural gas are at
record levels with estimates of more
than a 100-year supply—helps keep
prices stable. For current CNG pricing,
visit cngprices.com.
Fuel savings help offset the additional cost of the vehicle, with many
businesses seeing a quick return
on investment. For help calculating payback, visit cngnow.com.
Cummins NPower also offers a Value Spec Tool. There are links to
both of these sites at mge.com/cng.
Fueling
There are nearly 50 public fueling
options in Wisconsin. You’ll find
links to a CNG station locator at
mge.com/cng. Locally, Kwik Trip in
Verona and Windsor, Speedway LLC
in Monona and Middleton Farmers
Cooperative Co. offer CNG fueling.
Some businesses choose to invest
in private CNG fueling stations. Fleet
vehicles that park overnight, like
refuse haulers, often install on-site
fueling.
Public fueling stations provide easy
access to CNG.
1
Medium- and heavy-duty trucks
Availability: Medium- and
heavy-duty CNG trucks are
available from most major
truck manufacturers, including
Kenworth, Freightliner, Peterbilt,
Navistar-International, Mack,
Volvo, Isuzu.
The surge in natural gas production has diven down its cost and built interest in
using it as a transportation fuel.
Fueling fleets with compressed natural gas (CNG) has
many advantages. CNG vehicles:
• Use a fuel that costs less and reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
• Perform just like gasoline and diesel vehicles but have lower
exhaust emissions.
• Run quieter than diesel-powered vehicles.
Plus the technology has been proven over time. CNG vehicles have
been on the road since the 1930s.
Thinking about CNG for your business?
The more you travel, the more you save. CNG vehicles make the most
economic sense for fleets that travel many miles. CNG is also a good
fit for businesses with planned routes and fleets that return to a
central location at the end of the day.
Performance: Engine manufacturers build dedicated CNG engines
for a variety of commercial vehicle applications. Cummins Inc. offers
an 8.9-liter and 11.9-liter engine with horsepower and torque curves
that almost mirror their diesel counterparts. CNG engines are quieter
than diesel engines, and there is no visible exhaust or odor. CNG
does not gel like diesel, so it’s an excellent choice for cold weather
climates. In addition, CNG trucks meet EPA requirements without
complex after-treatments.
Range: Driving range depends on onboard storage capacity, and
improvements in tank technology are allowing businesses to drive
further on CNG. For example, a truck with dual 45-gallon tanks on
the rail and a 155-gallon tank behind the cab can travel up to 1,200
miles without refueling.
Maintenance: For trucks with CNG spark-ignited engines, maintenance
charges are comparable to diesel engines. While you have additional
maintenance
with spark plugs
and higher cost
oil, you reduce
maintenance cost
with elimination
of the exhaust
after treatment
system.
GS1807 09/16/2015
Business vehicle analysis
MGE can help you decide if CNG vehicles make sense for your company.
Get a free business vehicle analysis! We:
• Assist with return on investment analysis.
• Research available vehicles.
Considering natural gas
vehicles for your fleet?
• Evaluate maintenance options.
Interested in a business vehicle analysis? Please call your MGE account
manager or 608-252-7007.
Call MGE and ask for a business account manager or visit our
website for information. We provide the technical, financial and
educational services you need to stay competitive.
• mge.com/cng
• 608-252-7222
• 1-800-245-1125
Disclaimer
The information in this document is provided “as is” without any warranty and is
intended to be general in nature. The information is not a design/construction
specification and is not intended to address any specific safety or operational
requirements for a particular facility, or specify the requirements of any applicable
federal, state or local code and regulations. Madison Gas and Electric Company,
its officers, employees or agents shall not be liable for damages or losses of any
kind arising out of or in connection with the use of the information provided herein.
printed on recycled paper
your community energy company
Get the facts